Prospect

Prospect is a mesmerising sci-fi thriller from directors Zeek Earl and Christopher Caldwell. Released in 2018, the film presents a fantastic blend of sci-fi and western genres ensconced within an enticing storyline that transverse between survival, greed, and morality. Its cast includes Sophie Thatcher, Jay Duplass, and Pedro Pascal, each delivering compelling performances that draw viewers into their vividly imagined, futuristic world.

A gripping narrative arc drives the film with atmosphere that's dense and intense. Set against an alien backdrop, Prospect starts with the journey of Cee (Sophie Thatcher) and Damon (Jay Duplass), a teenage daughter-father duo. They inhabit a decrepit sub-light speed spaceship with a singular goal: to strike it rich mining a rare, invaluable gem found only on the mysterious, verdant moon called The Green Moon. As they descend onto the alien moon, they find themselves plunged into an environment fraught with threats that rapidly escalates the stakes from a potential fortune-making quest to a desperate fight for survival.

Sophie Thatcher gives a powerful performance as the lead character Cee. She is thrown into an increasingly chaotic world where survival comes at a significant cost. Her world, beautifully realised with dense forests and squelching marshes, is filled with dangerous mercenaries and rival prospectors. In these hostile territories, Prospect skillfully explores the darker facets of humanity, including deceit, betrayal and murder, with Cee mysteriously caught in the crossfire.

Challenging Cee's resilience and determination is Pedro Pascal’s character Ezra. Pascal delivers an intriguing performance as the smooth-talking yet perilous Ezra, whose charming facade belies a constant tug of war between avarice and empathy. Jay Duplass as Damon, despite his limited screen appearance, makes a significant impact on the plot, reminiscing about Earth while teaching the tricks and trade of the gems extraction to Cee.

The rich visual design and the movie’s excellent production values provide a credible backdrop of an alien planet, injecting a sense of realism in the narrative. The Green Moon's environment, despite its alien ecosystem, mirrors Earth, adding a layer of familiarity to the film's backdrop, making it relatable and absorbing for the audience. The narrative unfolds in unknown territories yet creates an eerie sense of déjà vu, an impressive feat for any sci-fi movie.

Contrary to the flashy, action-packed drama associated with most sci-fi flicks, Prospect opts for a quieter, introspective approach. Its introspection delves into the nature of human disposition, highlighting the extent one might go to survive extreme circumstances. Adding a western-style twist to the narrative, the movie explores personal morality, offering a unique amalgamation of the sci-fi and western genres.

Amid the narrative, the technical jargon relating to the process of gem extraction adds authenticity to the storyline, deepening the viewers’ immersion into the strata of the film. Furthermore, immersion into the story is accentuated by the film's excellent sound design and atmospheric score, adding a deeper resonance to the otherworldly, isolating environment.

Prospect leverages the talents of its cast to deliver a richly textured movie that merges robust character studies with a highly engaging plot. Sophie Thatcher, in particular, stands out showcasing her skills as a young actress, bringing a depth of relatability to her character, and evincing viewers to root for her through her trials and tribulations.

In conclusion, Prospect, a testament to independent, thought-provoking cinema, delivers a remarkable blend of vibrant characters, stunning visual storytelling and engaging narrative, all set within an off-world landscape, infused with moral dilemmas and treacherous frontiers. This is a film that unfolds slowly, maximising the intrigue and investment in the characters, their journey, and the world they inhabit. In doing so, it provides a resonating commentary on human nature, survival, and the lengths we're willing to go for fortune and success. An unease of senselessness is countered by the presence of a familiar humanism, making Prospect not just another Sci-Fi flick, but a thrilling journey of survival and morality, an antidote to stereotypical blockbusters, and a must-watch for fans of thought-provoking cinema.